The Manhattan Project Pros And Cons

Fears that Germany had the possibility of creating an atomic bomb sparked the Manhattan Project, the first attempt at the building an atomic bomb in the United States during World War II. In 1939 nuclear research was immensely intensified when knowledge that Germany had found a way to split a uranium atom. The splitting of this atom caused an explosion bigger than any scientists had ever seen, enough energy to power a bomb that could produce tremendous destruction. Albert Einstein, who fled from the Nazi’s in Germany, was the first to call attention to nuclear research in the United States. Due to prior knowledge of Germany’s scientific advantages, Einstein was able to inform the U.S about Germany making the scientific breakthrough. According

The fear of Germany accomplishing the goal of building a nuclear weapon urged the Americans to build the bomb quickly and efficiently. This was until a surprise attack from the Japanese at Pearl Harbor completely changed the way most people viewed the building of the bomb. This event jump started the project completely, and President Franklin gave his approval to proceed with the building of the atomic bomb. Stated by U.S History.org, the project started with locations at just a few universities, which were Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and the University of California at Berkeley. This was until a breakthrough was made. Enrico Fermi, who was one of the main scientists of the Manhattan project, led a group of physicists at the University of Chicago to make the first “nuclear chain reaction” (the Manhattan Project... “ 51). This was one of the greatest milestones of the project, and from it, funds for building the bomb were more

“A blinding flash visible for 200 miles lit up the morning sky. A mushroom cloud reached 40,000 feet, blowing out windows of civilian homes up to 100 miles away.” (U.S History.org 51). A crater a half-mile wide formed in the desert sand and glass laid upon the ground. Because civilians could see the explosion, a cover story was made up to keep the project undercover. Soon, word of this reached Truman, who was now president, and he was informed that the Manhattan project was successful.

At the base of Los Alamos, four weapons were built. Two of these weapons were called Little Boy and Fat Man, and they were used against Japan in August of 1945. Once the U.S made their place known in the war, japan were forced to surrender. The usage of the atomic bomb was quite a controversial event in the United States, and many people still are unsure of what the right decision was. At the time, majority agreed that the atomic bomb was useful because it essentially ended World War II, but about two years later, only about 45% of people agreed it was the right thing to do at the